The project is an 8,500 square foot branch library, the first free standing library in the minority community of Little Rock, Arkansas. The concerns of the owners were that the library be highly visible, secure, and have an unmistakable architectural character, and be a positive influence in the community.

To us, this means we were challenged to find a way to embrace and impact as many communities as possible. The site selection became very crucial, and we feel we found the definitive location. The site was small yet highly visible; and located at an intersection which served as the gateways to the south and central minority communities in Little Rock. The east leg of the intersection leads directly into the Historic Quapaw District, one of the oldest and most architecturally significant neighborhoods in the City. The greatest attribute of the site was its proximity to schools. Five (5) schools were within a one (1) mile radius of the site, which ranged from elementary to college.

The site had significant design issues to address, namely noise and security created by high traffic volume. The building was oriented so that the front door faced north away from the intersection. The main quiet functions then radiate from this entry point. It could have been misconstrued that the building turned its back on the community it was serving. However, "the rear" of the building is designed as the focal point of the project.

The north orientation allows the project to function in its most efficient manner, with regard to parking and pedestrian access. The building is buffered from the intersection through distance and level change. The site drops seven (7) feet from the intersection to the north end of the property. To handle the grade change a community plaza was created with amphitheater type natural seating. This allowed the finish floor elevation to be seven (7) feet below street level.

At the nucleus of the plan is the circulation desk and entry circulation. This area is represented on the exterior as a tower. The tower becomes the focal point of the building, while the community plaza is the focal point of the site. Together these elements landmark the gateways to these communities. The library becomes a literal beacon of light, as the tower glows in the night through the glass block clerestories.